Share this video

Watch Next

Neil Jenkins expects Liam Williams to be given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of the big Six Nations opener against Ireland by being released back to the Scarlets.

But the Wales kicking guru said the final decision about whether the full-back or wing and skipper Sam Warburton, who wants to play for Cardiff Blues against Edinburgh in the Guinness Pro12 on Saturday, will be down to head honcho Warren Gatland.

“He’ll have a discussion with the players and their regions but Liam needs game time and Sam has stated he needs game time,” he said.

“I would have thought Liam plays this week for the Scarlets at Connacht but the final decision will be down to the boss ‘Gats’.”

Flanker Warburton has played just once since suffering an ankle injury, for the Blues against Italian part-timers Calvisano last Friday night, and wants to sharpen his match fitness against third in the table Edinburgh.

Williams has been out since suffering a recurrence of a foot injury at the World Cup. He had a second operation – the first had threatened to keep him out of the global showpiece – on it but it’s only now he’s been given the all-clear to return to playing.

Ex-Wales record points-scorer said whether Williams appears for the Scarlets and how he comes through the table-toppers’ clash with high-flying Connacht in Galway would determine whether he remains in the frame to be picked for the big clash with Six Nations champion Ireland in Dublin on February 7.

“We will have to see how Liam plays and whether he plays the full game. We will have to see how the game unfolds,” explained Jenkins.